swimming and menstruation HELP!

[jrabbit]

I've looked and can't find a better place to ask this, so here I am:

I just started my period - and now we're going swimming at Nana's! Baby is 19 months, and she adores the water, and I really need to be in it with her.

Problem: I haven't worn a tampon in 20+ years. I use cloth pads. I can't exactly use pads in the pool. I feel like an old fashioned dork... How is it that in all these years, I haven't had this dilemma!?!

Do I suck it up and go buy a tampon?

Do I tell my older kids - sorry, but mommy's bleeding means she can't go swimming? What a sucky lesson for them. One is 10, who will probably be menstruating in the next 1-2 years. The other is 6, and she's suddenly curious about the bleeding.

It feels very unsanitary to go consider going into the pool with a pad on ... but I "could" wear shorts or a long tshirt ...

I think it's too late for the learning curve with a Diva cup - even if I knew where I could get one "now".

--janis

[EVC]

Well, I just searched Diva Cup Houston and found this: http://www.nurturedfamily.com/diva-cup.aspx

Do you know this store? If so, call and see if they have them in stock. If they do, get one. There is VERY little learning curve involved--they instructions tell you everything you need to know.

If you have time to swing by the store and get one, I would highly recommend this as the best solution.

[Juvysen]

Another vote for a menstrual cup. there's a variety out there. I like the diva cup (and our local health food store even carries them, though i got mine online).

[jrabbit]

Nurtured Family is way out of the way, as is Whole Foods, but I think we'll try the Whole Foods on our way to Nana's. crossing fingers that they have them *and* it isn't too wonky for me. I keep hearing people swear by them, but I just never liked tampons (or diaphragm), so I can't really imagine liking this, either.

thanks

[texaspeach]

I haven't seen the diva cup or keeper at wf here. target and walgreens carry a product called instead that is a cup shaped like a diaphragm. it is disposable but people rinse and reuse them.

the other option is sea sponges (info). I can't remember if I've seen them at wf or not. they might have them in the health and beauty section

otherwise as uncomfortable as they might be there's always natural 'pons as a last resort

eta they apparently have the divacup at central market now, and rei wish they'd had them locally when I ordered mine a few years ago

[Learning_Mum]

Unless you're bleeding really heavily the water should form a 'plug' and stop any blood coming out. You'll need to get a pad as soon as you get out the pool though.

[LauraN]

The good thing about going to whole foods is that if they don't have the diva cup, they will almost certainly have unbleached tampons.
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[jrabbit]

well - I got "Instead" - and I really did not like it. I'm quite sure I had it in properly, but it felt like I had to cross my legs to keep it in (psychologically, not really) - and it felt like it inhibited proper urination! (also reasons, as I recall, why I stopped wearing tampons)

I ended up stressing out so much, and the sun started to give me a migraine, so I just lay in the shade til the family was done swimming. As soon as I removed it, I felt better.

The product has a money-back guarantee, which is the main reason I decided to get it at Walgreens instead of going on a potentially long and fruitless hunt for diva cup. I intend to get my money back.

I was pondering how I never had this problem before. I guess I don't go swimming very often! Also, due to childbearing, I haven't had a cycle for 7 summers out of the past 11! However, I'm thinking of investing in a diva cup because I don't really want to be in this situation again.


--janis